-
The Spanish Civil War Begins
Gen. F. Franco.The Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) was the result of Fascism. General Francisco Franco wanted to take over Spain. But Republicans and others who supported democracy in Spain fought against Franco and his Fascist regime. Britain and France supported the Republicans by providing finances and supplies. Franco’s military was supported by Germany and Italy. Franco prevailed and ruled Spain for the next 36 years. It was a prelude to WW2 because Britain-France and Italy-Germany were at opposition. -
The Berlin Olympics
Jesse Owens Wins Gold:The Olympic Committee had chosen Berlin to host the 1936 Summer Olympics in 1931, before the Nazi party had come into power. Once the Nazi party began its anti-semitic policies, there was discussion about changing the location of the Olympic games. However, Hitler claimed that he would allow Jewish athletes to compete in the games. Notably, American Jesse Owens, an African American, won four gold medals. This photograph shows Jesse Owens receiving an Olympic gold medal. -
The Nanking Massacre
The Nanking Massacre occurred over six weeks, beginning in December 1937. Japanese troops, who were at war in mainland China, invaded Nanking, a major historical capital of China. The battle is remembered for its brutality, although estimates of the number of Chinese killed varies from 30,000 to over 300,000. Because of Japan’s aggression against China, the U.S. imposed an embargo against Japan, leading to tensions between the countries. -
The Attack on Pearl Harbor
The Attack on Pearl Harbor Japan bombed Pearl Harbor in a surprise attack on December 7, 1941. The attack was particularly damaging to the U.S. navy, which had much of its fleet on the island. The next day, the United States declared war on Japan and, by extension. on Germany and Italy. -
The Internment of Japanese American
The Forced Relocation of Japanese Americans According to an executive order by President Franklin Roosevelt, Japanese Americans were to be put in special prison camps during the course of the war. Some Japanese still volunteered for the Military And Sometimes Served with Distinction. -
-
Bombing of Dresden
The Bombing of Dresden The Allies bombed Dresden in a brutal firebombing attack that killed more than 20,000 people. This was the earliest advent of the “flame tornado”. The destruction to a city with no real military use shocked the Germans and shocked the world. -
D-Day: The Invasion of Normandy
D-Day:D-DayThis image captures the scale and chaos of the Invasion of Normandy, on the northern coast of France. The assault was the largest ever amphibious invasion, and was led by General Dwight Eisenhower. The Allies sent 6,939 ships to Normandy: 1,213 warships, 4,126 transporters, 736 ancillary craft and 864 merchant vessels. The Nazis held the high ground and the battle was one of the bloodiest with an estimate 10,000 Allied deaths, but more than 425,000 troops killed, wounded, or missing by both side -
Battle of Berlin
The Battle of Berlin Russian troops broke through the ragtag German Defenses at Seelow Heights after numerous attempts. By April 20, Russian troops were in the city of Berlin and they started shelling the inner city. Hitler killed himself on April 28 in his bunker and the city formally was surrendered on May 2. -
The Dropping of the Atomic Bombs
The Dropping of Atom Bombs On August 6 and August 9 we dropped two atomic bombs on Japan. This was the beginning of the Atomic Age, where humanity finally had discovered the most efficient way to bring about our deaths.
I had an opportunity to meet Dutch van Kirk, the navigator of the Enola Gay, which dropped the a-bomb on Hiroshima at a World War II Roundtable event in Atlanta. He justified the bombing of Hiroshima a
